If you’re looking for a show-stopping breakfast or brunch idea that’s quick, easy, and wildly delicious, this Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread is your dream come true. Made with refrigerated cinnamon rolls, brown sugar, and melted butter, this sweet pull-apart bread is dripping in icing and packed with cinnamon goodness. Whether you’re planning a festive holiday breakfast or just want to treat your family on a lazy weekend, this recipe hits all the right notes — indulgent, fun, and unbelievably simple to make.
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Why This Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread Will Be Your New Favorite
This cinnamon-packed monkey bread recipe is the ultimate combination of convenience and comfort. It’s built for busy mornings and special gatherings alike. Using store-bought cinnamon rolls makes prep incredibly fast, while the buttery brown sugar glaze creates that classic gooey texture everyone loves. It’s a family-friendly, crowd-pleasing breakfast you’ll want to make on repeat.
- Quick to make with only 10 minutes of prep
- Perfect for holidays like Christmas morning or Easter brunch
- Kid-approved and fun to pull apart
- No fancy ingredients — just pantry staples and cinnamon rolls
- Make-ahead friendly for easy mornings
What You’ll Need to Make Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread
• Refrigerated Cinnamon Rolls: The base of this dish, adding a fluffy, cinnamon-swirled texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Helps the cinnamon stick to the dough for that sweet coating.
• Ground Cinnamon: The flavor hero — warm and cozy with every bite.
• Brown Sugar: Adds depth, caramel notes, and that gooey texture.
• Unsalted Butter: Melted and combined with sugar to create a rich glaze.
• Icing Packets: These come with the cinnamon rolls and add the final sweet drizzle.
Ingredient Swaps and Customizations
• Homemade Cinnamon Roll Dough: Want to make it from scratch? You can swap the refrigerated rolls for your favorite homemade cinnamon roll dough.
• Vegan Butter: For a dairy-free version, use plant-based butter and check that your cinnamon rolls are vegan-friendly.
• Chopped Nuts: Add pecans or walnuts for extra crunch and flavor.
• Raisins or Dried Fruit: Toss them in with the dough pieces for a sweet twist.
• Caramel Sauce Instead of Icing: A rich caramel drizzle takes this over the top!
How to Make Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread Step by Step
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a large bundt pan thoroughly.
- In a large bowl, mix granulated sugar and cinnamon together.
- Cut each cinnamon roll into six equal pieces. This helps create bite-sized chunks perfect for layering.
- Toss the dough pieces in the cinnamon sugar mixture until evenly coated.
- Add half of the coated dough pieces to the greased bundt pan, spreading them out evenly.
- In a separate bowl, combine melted butter and brown sugar. Pour half over the first layer of dough.
- Repeat the layering process: add the remaining dough pieces, then pour the rest of the butter-sugar mixture on top.
- Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until golden brown and fully cooked through.
- Let cool for 5 minutes. Then, place a plate or cake stand upside down over the pan and carefully flip it to release the bread.
- Warm the icing packets slightly and drizzle generously over the top before serving.
Tips for Perfect Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread Every Time
- Grease your bundt pan well to avoid sticking. A nonstick spray with flour is ideal.
- Check doneness with a skewer or toothpick — it should come out mostly clean.
- Let it cool slightly before flipping to prevent the bread from falling apart.
- Warm the icing before drizzling — it spreads more easily and looks beautiful.
- Avoid overbaking; 40–45 minutes works well, but ovens vary. Check around 35 minutes.
Delicious Pairings and Flavor Variations
Serve this sweet and sticky Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread alongside savory breakfast options for a balanced brunch table. Here are some tasty pairings and creative spins:
- Pair with: Scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, or fresh fruit salad.
- Add-ins: Chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, or diced apples for extra sweetness.
- Make it festive: Add red and green sprinkles for Christmas or pastel M&Ms for Easter.
- Spice it up: Try a dash of nutmeg or pumpkin spice in the sugar coating.
- Make-ahead tip: Assemble the night before, refrigerate, then bake fresh in the morning.
Seasonal & Holiday Favorite
Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread is especially popular as a Christmas morning tradition. Its warm cinnamon aroma fills the house while it bakes, making it the perfect centerpiece for cozy, joyful mornings. You can even personalize it by adding dried cranberries and chopped nuts for a festive feel.
During the fall, swap in pumpkin spice for cinnamon and drizzle with maple icing for a seasonal twist. It’s also a great brunch item for birthdays, showers, or potlucks because it’s easy to serve and always gets rave reviews.
By embracing both simplicity and flavor, Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread delivers a truly unforgettable experience. Whether you’re pulling it apart with your fingers on a lazy Sunday or serving it as the star of your holiday spread, this gooey treat guarantees smiles, seconds, and sticky fingers.
Wrapping It Up: Why Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread Is a Must-Make
Whether you’re planning a holiday breakfast, weekend brunch, or just a cozy treat for the family, Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread is the ultimate easy indulgence. Its irresistible layers of gooey cinnamon-sugar dough, buttery glaze, and sweet icing make every bite feel like the center of a cinnamon roll. It’s fast, festive, and practically foolproof — everything you could want in a breakfast recipe. With just a few store-bought ingredients and under an hour from start to finish, this recipe will quickly become a go-to classic in your kitchen.
FAQs About Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread
Can I make Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread the night before?
Yes! Assemble the entire dish, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight. The next morning, let it sit at room temperature for 20–30 minutes while the oven preheats, then bake as directed. This make-ahead method is perfect for stress-free holiday mornings.
What’s the best way to store leftovers?
Store any leftover monkey bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If it’s iced, keep it refrigerated for 3–4 days. Reheat in the microwave for 15–20 seconds to bring back its soft, gooey texture.
Can I use homemade cinnamon rolls instead of canned?
Absolutely! If you have a favorite homemade cinnamon roll dough recipe, feel free to use it. Just make sure the dough is soft and fluffy so it bakes evenly and stays tender. Cut the dough into small pieces before rolling in the cinnamon sugar.
More Relevant Recipes
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Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
Description
Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread is an easy, gooey, and crowd-pleasing breakfast or brunch recipe made with refrigerated cinnamon rolls, butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Perfect for holidays or weekend treats, this pull-apart bread is soft, sweet, and drizzled with icing for the ultimate indulgence.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar: used for coating the dough pieces with cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon: provides the classic warm spice flavor
- 2 (17.5-ounce) cans Grands Cinnamon Rolls with Icing (35 ounces total): the base dough for the monkey bread
- 1/2 cup brown sugar: adds a rich, molasses-like sweetness to the glaze
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted: creates a gooey caramel-like sauce when baked with brown sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a large bundt pan thoroughly.
- In a large bowl, stir together the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon.
- Cut each cinnamon roll into six pieces.
- Add the dough pieces to the bowl and toss until fully coated in the cinnamon sugar.
- Layer half of the coated pieces into the prepared bundt pan evenly.
- In a separate bowl, mix the melted butter and brown sugar until well combined.
- Pour half of the butter-sugar mixture over the first layer of dough in the pan.
- Layer the remaining cinnamon roll pieces into the bundt pan.
- Pour the remaining butter mixture over the second layer.
- Bake for 40–45 minutes, until the top is golden brown and a skewer inserted comes out mostly clean.
- Let the monkey bread cool in the pan for 5 minutes.
- Place a large plate or cake stand upside down over the pan and quickly flip to release the bread.
- Warm the icing packets slightly and drizzle them over the top before serving.
Notes
- Use nonstick baking spray with flour to help the bread release cleanly from the bundt pan.
- You can prepare the dish the night before and bake fresh in the morning.
- Try adding chopped nuts or dried fruit for extra flavor and texture.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days or in the fridge for 4 days.
- To reheat, microwave individual portions for 15–20 seconds.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 439
- Sugar: 39g
- Sodium: 597mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.3g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 63g
- Fiber: 0.2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
